Snatch block



Aug. 14, 1945. "A. G. FRANKHOUSER SNATCH BLOCK Filed April 3, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ALBERT s. firm/(Haas m,

F ATTORNEYB SNATCH BLOCK Filed April 3, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR nwznrarmxmsm BY JMLM- .za-i-w' ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 14, 1945 SNATCH BLOCK Albert G. Frankhouser, Lima, Ohio, assignor to The H. G. Shook Company, Lima, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 3, 1944, Serial No. 529,329

6 Claims.

This invention relates to snatch block, and

more particularly deals with an improved type of snatch block wherein one or more ropes or cables may be replaced by opening the block while under full load.

The present invention will be fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the annexed drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the block of the present invention with one side plate lowered to give access to a sheave.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view, partlyin cross-section, of the block of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View, partly in cross-section, of a block similar to that of Fig. 2 but provided with three sheaves or pulleys.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view, partly in cross -section, of a block similar to that of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 but provided with four sheaves or pulleys; and,

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, 18 is a top ring attached to a hanger hanger comprises a fork having four prongs denominated l2, l3, l4 and |5. It will be noted that a three-piece insert comprising the pieces IBa, |6b and IGc is positioned across said prongs l2, l3, 4 and I5 inan opening provided therefor. In Fig. 2 the piece l in of the insert is shown withdrawn from the opening where it fits.

The block of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 further comprises side plates l1 and I8 and a center plate I9 which with portions or arms 20, 2| and 22 forms a trident -or shell; The upper portion of the dividing plate is is suspended from the prongs I3 and T4 of the hanger II by the piece lib of the insert positioned in saidhanger, and the lower portion of thedividing plate I9 is joined With the portion 22 which is itself'joined with the portions 20 and 2| which are suspended from a bolt 23. The bolt 23 acts as a bearing for the sheaves and 25. As will be noted from the sheave 25 which is shown in cross-section, each sheave is provided with a bushing 26 which acts as a bearing surface.

The prongs |2,'.|3 and I 5are provided with an opening shown as 21 adapted to receivea cotter pin such as shown as 28 inthe insert piece I60 and as 29 in the insert piece IGb. Each of the insert pieces lia, |6b and [6c is provided with an opening shown as 30 in insert piece Ilia which is in register with, the opening 21 in the corresponding prong of the'hange'r ll. The in- As will be noted from Fig. 2, the

sert piece IE0 is providedwith a pin 3| and the insert piece |6a is provided with a pin 32 adapted to be used as a handle for removing the respective insert ,piece from the corresponding prong of the hanger. II when it is desired to do so and after removal of the cotter pin passing through the corresponding prong and insert piece. Attached to the portions 20, 2| and22, and forming an integral part thereof, is an ear 33 provided with an opening 34 adapted for suspending orguying the block. The pin 32 is adapted to fit into the opening 35, and the pin 3| is adapted to fit in a similar opening in the prong l2.

Referring now to Fig. 3, 36 is a ring attached to a hanger 31. which comprises a plurality of prongs 38, 39, 40, 4| and 42. The prongs 38, 33, 40, 4| and 42 are drilled in alignment to receive an insert comprising the insert pieces 43, 44, 45. The insert portion 43 is held in position with respect to the prong 38 by a cotter pin'passing through the opening 46, the insert portion 44 is held in position with respect to the prong 40 by a cotter pin passing through theopening 4! and the insert piece is held in position with respect to the prong 42 Ma cotter pin passing through the opening 48. The insert piece43 is provided with a pin 49 adapted to fit into an opening 50 on the hanger 31, and the insert portion 45 is provided with a pin 5| adapted to fi into the opening 52 on the hanger 3 The end plate 53 and the dividing plate 54 are suspended from the insert piece 43, and the side plate 55 is suspended from the insert piece 45. The dividing plate 56 is suspended from the insert piece 44 which in turn is suspended from the prongs 40 and 4| ,of the hanger 31. The dividing plate 56 'joins a portion 51 having side members 58 and '59 and an ear portion 60 provided with an opening 6|. The side'members 58 and '59 are united by a bearing bolt 62 on which the sheaves 63, 64 and 65 are mo unted and adapted to rotate. As will be noted from a the sheave 35 which is shown'partly in crosssection, the sheaves are provided with 66 which acts as a bearing surface. I

Referring now to Fig. 4, 61 is a ring attached to a hanger 68 provided with a plurality of prongs 69, 10, "H, 12, 73 and 74. The prongs 69,

10, H, 12, I3 and 74 are drilled in'alignment and are adapted to receive an insert comprising insert pieces 15', 16 and H. The insert piece 15 is provided with an opening 18 juxtapositioned with. a'similar opening inv the prong adapted to receive a cotter pin, the insert piece 16 is a bushing" The insert piece 15 is provided with a pin 8! adapted to fit into an opening 82 on the hanger 68, and the insert piece TI is likewise provided with a pin (not shown) adapted to fit into the opening 83 in the hanger 68. The pin 8| in the insert piece 15 and the corresponding pin (not shown) in the insert piece 11 are adapted for use as a handle in removing the corresponding insert pieces when it is desired, to do so.

The side plate 84 and the dividing plate 85 are suspended from the insert piece 15 which in turn is suspended from the prongs 69, 18 and H in the hanger 68. The dividing plate 86 andthe end plate 8'! are suspended from the insert piece 85 which.is in turnsuspended from the prongs l2, l3 and T4 of the hanger 68. Thedividing plate 88 is suspended from the insert piece 16 which is in turn suspended from the prongs H and 72 of the hanger 68. The lower portion of the dividing plate 88 joins a member 89 pro-. vided with side members 98 and 9| and an ear portion 92 provided with an opening 99. The

side members 90 .and 9| are suspended from a bolt 94 Whichforms the bearing for thesheaves 95, 96, 91 and 98. As will be noted from sheave 98 which is shown partly in cross section, the sheaves are provided with a bushing 99 which serves as a bearing surface. Y

InFig. 2, a two-sheave block is shown in position to receive a rope or cable while under full load. As will be noted, the side plate 18 has been lowered by removing the'insert piece 66a after removing the cotter pin which passed throughthe opening 21 on the prong l6 and the opening 30 on the insert piece 16a. It will be notedthat the full load is being carried by the insert pieces lfib and I60" resting on the prongs l2, l3 and M of the hanger ll.

In Fig. 3, a three-sheave block is illustrated in position to receive a rope or cable over the sheave 85. The side plate 55 is shown in lowered position with the insert piece 45removed. It will be noted that the full load is being carried by the members 51, 58, 59 and 56, the latter being supported byfthe insert piece 44 resting on the prongs 48 and 4| of the fork 31.

possible with the snatch block of this invention to replace a rope or cable easily and rapidly without releasing or relieving the load on the block.

It will be also understood that while there have been described herein and illustrated in the annexed drawings certain embodiments of this invention, it is not intended thereby to have this inventionlimited to or circumscribed by the specific details of construction,arrangement of parts, materials or dimensions illustrated or described,

' in View of the fact that this invention is susceptible to modifications according to individual preference and conditions without necessarily departing from the spirit of this disclosure and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In asnatch block, a hanger having depend- 7 ing prongs forming first and second slots there- In Fig. 4 is illustrated a four-sheave block in.

position to receive ropes or cables over either or both of sheaves 91 and '93. The side plate 81 and the dividing plate 86 are shown in lowered position with the insert piece 11 removed. It will be noted that the full load is being carried by the members 89, 90, 9| and 88, the latter being suspended from the insert portion 15 restload is being carried by. the end plate 84 and the dividing plate 85 suspended from the insert piece 75 which rests on the prongs 69, 10 and 'H of the hangerBB.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the snatch block of the present invention represents marked and substantial improvement over snatch blocks hitherto known and used. It is in the prongs defining said central slot.

between, a shell having spaced arms of different lengths, theend of the longer arm lying within said first slot, a sheave and aside plate journaled between the arms of said shell, said plate having a portion lying within said second slot, and a two-section'pin passing through aligned holes in said prongs, longer arm and plate portion and having the adjacent ends of said sections lying within the hole in said prong between said slots.

2. In a snatch block, a hanger having depending prongs forming first and second slots therebetween, a shell having spaced arms of diiierent lengths, the. end of the longer arm lying within said first slot, a sheave and'a side plate journaled between the arms of said shell, said plate having a portion lying within said second slot, and a twosection pin passing through aligned holes in said prongs, longer arm and plate portion and having -the adjacent ends :of said sections lying within the hole in said prong between said slots, said plate and sheave being journalled on a common pivot and said plate lying between said sheave and the shorter arm of said shell. I

3. In a sheave block, a hanger having prongs defining adjacent first, second and third slots, a shell having a center plate with its end. within said second slot and upstanding first and second arms on opposite sides of said plate, a plurality of sheaves, means journaling at least one sheave between said plate and one'said arm and the remaining sheaves between said plate and the other said arm, side plates pivotally connected to the respective arms and having portions within said. first and third slots respectively, and a multipart pin passing through aligned. holes in said prongs and plates, the adjacentends of said parts lying within thehole in said prongs 4. In a sheave block, a hanger having spaced prongs defining a. central and'two side slots, a shell comprisingi a center plate and arms spaced from and upon opposite sides of said plate, said plate extending, into said central slot, a plurality of sheaves, common pivotj.meansjournaling at least one sheavebetween said plate and onearm, and the remaining sheaves between said plate and thegother arm, side plates on said pivot means each adjacent a respective arm,. each said side plate normally extending into .a respective side slot in said hanger, there being aligned apertures in'said'prongs and plates, and a pincomprising separate central and end sections, passing through said apertures, the, meeting ends of said central and ,said end sections lying within. the apertures j 5. In a snatch block, .aj hanger having c'onsecutive spaced. first, second, third and-fourth slots, a shell having a central plate extending into said third slot and upstanding arms spaced respective opposite sides of said third slot.

6. In a four-fold snatch block, a hanger having prongs defining a plurality of spaced slots therebetween, a shell having a central plate ex-v tending within a central one or said slots and upstanding parallel arms on opposite sides of said plate, auxiliary plates each extending into a respective one of said slots on opposite sides of said central slot, four sheaves, a pivot pin passing through said arms, sheaves and all said plates, each sheave lying between a corresponding pair of plates and each end plate lying adjacent a respective arm, and a pin having separate consecutive parts passing through aligned holes in said hanger and plates, contiguous ends of said parts lying within the hole in said hangeron opposite sides of said central slot.

ALBERT G. FRANKHOUSER/ 

